The Greatest Emergency Radios of 2023

These days, we use our smartphones, computers, and TVs to keep us aware of what’s going on around us. But if a storm knocks out the power grid, our everyday tech isn’t enough.

From the cellar to the storm shelter to the mountains, we carefully tested and researched an array of products, narrowing down the best emergency radios of 2023 for a wide range of needs.

One of the most critical features of a trustworthy emergency radio is the ability to keep it running no matter what. Whether dealing with a blizzard, tornado, or any unforeseen event, you may need to be able to keep it charged for days on end.

We rounded up a variety of radios that run on batteries, solar energy, and hand cranks to help you find the best emergency radio for every situation.

To learn more about emergency radios and what makes them tick, consult our comprehensive buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ sections. Or, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys, and jump to the category you’re looking for:

The Best Emergency Radios of 2023

Emergency Radio Comparison Chart

Why You Should Trust Us

At GearJunkie, we take every aspect of the gear seriously, from the specs on an emergency radio to just how well it works in real-life situations. Testing roughly a dozen emergency radios required getting outside the range of urban or suburban life to see how well that solar charge really worked (or just how tough it was to use that crank charger). 

Dealing with outdoor gear on a constant basis, we know that an emergency radio needs to have essential features, but it also needs to work when called upon. We went to the internet for a deep dive into the research and narrowed down the best for head-to-head testing.

This real-life, hands-on testing involved various testers in differing situations that forced the radios to perform (that glow-in-the-dark function may not be the most necessary item, but it sure was handy in the middle of the night). We paid mind to a number of different factors, including reception, run-time, charging capability, durability, and more.

Capturing the mix of data from real-world testing allowed us to crown winners and the best of the rest, all designed to help you pick out the best emergency for your needs. 

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Emergency Radio

Reception & Ability to Receive NOAA Alerts

The most basic function of an emergency radio is to keep you informed. It’s vital that your radio can pick up AM/FM radio stations and NOAA weather stations. Most emergency radios do this, but make sure to find one that provides solid reception. Look for a radio with a telescoping antenna to better pick up radio waves.

Charging Methods

In an emergency, there’s no guarantee the power will stay on (it’ll likely go out). So, make sure your radio has multiple charging options. The easiest and fastest way to get a full recharge is to replace the battery.

We like radios that have the option to use disposable batteries. You can easily stock up and get several days of power without much financial investment.

Solar charging is useful, but it can be slow and only works if the sun is out. During severe weather, this can be a problem. That’s why another charging method — like a hand crank — is essential.

All hand cranks aren’t created equal, so take note of how much power you can get per crank. When turning, the crank of the C.Crane CC Solar Observer was noticeably firmer than the cranks of other radios, indicating a larger generator inside. Look for a radio that will give you a good ratio of cranking to listening time, like 10 minutes of listening per one minute of cranking.

Battery Life

With all of that said, the longer the battery lasts, the less likely it is that you’ll have to crank away to keep it going. Batteries on the bigger end for emergency radios tend to be around 2,000-2,600 mAh, which should give you a full day of use before you need to recharge.

Smaller and lighter radios will have 850-1,000 mAh, which will provide enough for shorter emergencies or camping trips when used sparingly.

Extra Features

Features on emergency radios range widely from emergency buzzers and SOS signaling to table lamps, LED flashlights, and USB charging. Most radios have a USB output to charge your small electronic devices. A larger battery (for example, 2,000 mAh) will give you half to a full charge. If your phone is a priority, opt for a larger battery.

Emergency features are paramount with these radios, so keep an eye out for a radio that you can set to alert you when NOAA issues severe weather alerts. If you find yourself in an emergency, a good flashlight comes standard with most radios.

Also, look for features that will help people find you if you’re trapped in your house by a flood or lost in the woods. A blinking red LED light or flashlights with blinking or SOS signal functions are a great option, as is an audible alarm, buzzer, or ultrasonic dog whistle, which can help search teams zero in on your location.

Durability & Waterproofness

Emergency situations are usually messy, so you’ll likely end up dropping your radio or getting it wet in inclement weather. Look for a radio that’s built with sturdy materials, or has impact-resistant rubber skin or bumpers, such as our chosen Most Durable radio, the Kaito KA500 Voyager Emergency Radio. 

Also, get to know the IPX rating system, which rates how waterproof a device is. It ranges from breaking down after any water exposure (IPX0) to being able to withstand powerful water jets (IPX9K).

The majority of radios that we’ve found were in the range of IPX3 (able to withstand light rain) and IPX4 (able to withstand splashes from any direction).

Weather Band Radio vs. Weather Alert Radio

To get the most active, up-to-date weather information, you need to use a weather alert radio. A weather alert radio will automatically receive an emergency message and give you an alert, whether you have the radio on or not. For a weather band radio, you must have the radio on and tuned to the local weather station to receive any alerts. 

How Do NOAA Weather Alerts Work? 

The NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from National Weather Service offices across the country. These broadcasts can include basic forecasts and current weather observations, but also warnings, watches, and hazard information. The broadcasts operate 24 hours per day. 

When an alert is needed, NOAA can send a tone at a level of 1050 Hz that sets off an alarm on weather radio receivers designed with a tone alert feature. This enables the listener to find out about the impending hazard immediately. 

S.A.M.E. Localized Reception

While many emergency radios integrate a tone alert feature, these are often general alerts that are issued broadly across the 40-mile transmit range of weather radio transmitters. Specific Area Message Encoding, or S.A.M.E., is a technology that transmits a digital code along with the alert that corresponds to a specific county. In this way, S.A.M.E.-equipped radios can screen out alerts for areas that don’t affect you. This can be greatly beneficial for radios that typically stay in one location, such as the Midland WR120.

Shortwave Radio

Shortwave radio, simply, is a band of frequencies that exist outside of the medium and long wave frequencies that host AM radio, as well as the wideband VHF frequencies that broadcast FM radio. Radios waves within these shortwave frequencies can be reflected across a layer of the atmosphere called the ionosphere, which gives it over-the-horizon transmission abilities.

Because these frequencies can be transmitted across the world, they have become utilized by international broadcasting services to transmit news to the entire world. One notable example is the BBC World Service, which broadcasts 24 hours a day and shares news to eight regional locales across the planet. In an emergency situation, shortwave radio reception can give you the ability to receive news from around the world.

In our own testing, the only radio with the capability to receive shortwave radio was the C.Crane Skywave Pocket Radio.

What Is the EAS System? 

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that requires radio and TV broadcasters, cable TV, wireless cable systems, and satellite and wireline operators to provide the public with information in the case of an emergency. 

EAS messages will interrupt regular programming. FEMA, in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission and NOAA, is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and operating the EAS at the federal level.

Emergency Preparedness Tips

In addition to having the right supplies, it’s important that they’re stored in an easily accessible location. Make sure you know how to use your radio before it’s ever needed. Also, keep an extra set of batteries on hand.

It’s a good idea to have a tote box or duffel bag ready with all needed emergency supplies. This includes a first aid kit, flashlight, bottled water, a water filter, and shelf-stable food.

FAQ